(January 5, 2005) UK Chancellor Gordon Brown wants the world’s richest nations to freeze foreign debt repayments for countries hit by the Asian tsunami disaster. The move would allow such countries to focus money on reconstruction.
Debt freeze plan ‘welcome but inadequate’
(January 5, 2005) The Jubilee Debt Campaign and the World Development Movement called for debt to be cancelled as “the most effective way to fund the long-term alleviation of poverty, not just as a response to a disaster”.
Debt freeze may be possible for tsunami relief
(January 5, 2005) The Paris Club, a 19-member private creditor that offers debt relief, have begun deliberating whether or not to offer a debt moratorium to the countries affected by the disaster.
Brown: Debts should be frozen for tsunami-hit countries
(January 4, 2005) Chancellor Gordon Brown suggested that there is little point in the west spending millions on aid while at the same time continuing to receive debt repayments.
Saddam ‘spills the beans’ on hidden millions
(December 30, 2004) The US-appointed council believes the former president accumulated as much as $40bn (£22.5bn) during his years in power, which he hid in accounts in Switzerland, Japan, Germany and other countries.
In the face of debt and disaster: long-lasting relief for the peoples of the South
(December 28, 2004) “In the face of this massive destruction, northern and international creditors should not continue to hold South peoples in bondage for debts that have in large part, only contributed to their impoverishment and deprivation.”
Dangerous life for Equatorial Guinea opposition
(December 24, 2004) Foreign critics say corruption has stopped the flow of petrodollars from trickling down to the whole population, but the government says it is investing the newfound wealth in social services and infrastructure.
Africa Social Forum
December 23, 2004 -At the opening plenary of the Africa Social Forum in Lusaka, Zambia (10-14 December, 2004), delegates from across the continent gave varied testimonies that coalesced around a single truth: recolonisation is worse than slavery.
Russia writes off over 92% of Iraqi debt
(December 23, 2004) Russia has written off 92%-93% of Iraq’s debt even though Iraq is not an economically underdeveloped country, President Vladimir Putin said at a news conference in the Kremlin.
Hidden riches, coming trial help deflate Pinochet myth
(December 21, 2004) A ruling that Chile’s former dictator is fit to stand trial means that justice delayed need not always be justice denied.
Annan reiterates he won’t resign
(December 21, 2004) Secretary-General Kofi Annan reiterated Tuesday he has no intention of resigning over allegations of corruption in the U.N. oil-for-food program and plans to move ahead with sweeping changes at the United Nations.
Pinochet expected to appeal indictment
(December 20, 2004) Lawyers representing Augusto Pinochet were expected to turn to Chile’s highest legal authority after the country’s Appeals Court on upheld an indictment of the former dictator.
Case against Pinochet can proceed
(December 20, 2004) Murder charges against former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in a major human rights case can proceed, an appeals court has said in an unprecedented ruling immediately appealed to the Supreme Court.
Poverty has changed my view of politics, says Brown
(December 20, 2004) Gordon Brown: ‘We must rise to the challenge of tackling world poverty.’
Russia links Iraq debt relief, companies
(December 19, 2003) The fate of Russian companies and economic interests in Iraq will affect Moscow’s position in talks on relieving Baghdad’s massive international debt burden, a top diplomat said Friday.
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